Adjustable livestock alleyway

Abstract

An adjustable livestock alleyway includes an alleyway frame, a center frame and first and second panels which define two side by side alleyways within the alleyway frame. The first and second panels are pivotably mounted to the center frame to pivot between a first open position in which the panels are pivoted toward the center frame and a second constricted position in which the panel are pivoted away from the center frame. A linkage connecting between the center frame and the first and second panels is powered by an actuator in order to pivot the first and second panels between the first and second positions such that the widths of both side by side alleyways may be changed to a desired width.

1. An adjustable livestock alleyway, comprising;
 a) an alleyway frame having first and second side walls defining an entrance for receiving livestock and an exit for discharging livestock, 
 b) a center frame located between the first and second side walls of the alleyway frame defining first and second side by side alleyways, 
 c) first and second panels pivotably mounted at their lower ends to the alleyway frame at locations spaced away from the center frame, the first and second panels each pivoting about a longitudinal, horizontal axis of rotation which is spaced away from the center frame and toward the lower end of the alleyway frame such that the first and second panels rotate between a first open position in which the first and second panels are pivoted toward the center frame thereby causing the first and second side by side alleyways to increase in width for accommodating larger animals and a second constricted position in which the first and second panels are pivoted away from the center frame thereby causing the first and second side by side alleyways to decrease in width for accommodating smaller animals, and, 
 d) a pivot mechanism operable for pivoting the first and second panels between the first open position and the second constricted position, whereby an operator may selective pivot the first and second panels in a pre-selected position between the first open position and the second constricted position. 
 
     
     
       2. The adjustable livestock alleyway of  claim 1 , wherein, the pivot mechanism further comprises:
 a) a linkage assembly including a linkage member having a first end and a second opposite end, the linkage member pivotably mounted to the center frame for rotation about a horizontal and longitudinal axis located between the first and second ends of the linkage member, a first pivot link connecting between the first end of the linkage member and the first panel and a second pivot link connecting between the second end of the center frame and the second panel, such that rotation of the linkage member about its axis of rotation causes the first and second panels to move between the first open position and the second constricted position, 
 b) an actuator connecting to the center frame and at least indirectly to the linkage member for pivoting the linkage member between a first position for holding both the first and second panels in the first open position and a second position for holding both of the first and second panels in the second constricted position. 
 
     
     
       3. The adjustable livestock alleyway of  claim 1 , wherein, the pivot mechanism further comprises:
 a pivot linkage assembly including a longitudinal pivot shaft pivotally mounted to the center frame, at least one linkage member mounted to the pivot shaft having opposing distal ends spaced away from the pivot shaft, a first pivot link connecting between one of the distal ends of the linkage member and the first panel, a second pivot link connecting between the opposite one of the distal ends of the linkage member and the second panel such that rotation of the pivot shaft causes movement of the first and the second panels between the first open position and the second constricted position, 
 and a hydraulic cylinder connecting to the alleyway frame at one end thereof and at least indirectly connected to the pivot shaft at the other end thereof for rotating the pivot shaft. 
 
     
     
       4. The adjustable livestock alleyway of  claim 1 , wherein, each of the first and second panels further comprise:
 an upper portion which is generally parallel to center frame when the panel is in the first open position and a lower portion which angles away from the center frame the panel is in the open position. 
 
     
     
       5. The adjustable livestock alleyway of  claim 1 , wherein,
 the pivot mechanism includes a pivot linkage assembly including a longitudinal pivot shaft pivotally mounted to the center frame, at least one linkage member mounted to the pivot shaft having opposing distal ends spaced away from the pivot shaft, a first pivot link connecting between one of the distal ends of the linkage member and the first panel, a second pivot link connecting between the opposite one of the distal ends of the linkage member and the second panel such that rotation of the pivot shaft causes movement of the first and the second panels between the first open position and the second constricted position, a hydraulic cylinder connecting to the alleyway frame at one end thereof and at least indirectly connected to the pivot shaft at the other end thereof for rotating the pivot shaft, and, 
 each of the first and second panels includes an upper portion which is generally parallel to center frame when the panel is in the first open position and a lower portion which angles away from the center frame the panel is in the open position.